Download Essential Elements

The Chemistry of Life
MCAS Biology
Ms Mahoney
The Chemistry of Life
• Central Concept: Chemical elements form
organic molecules that interact to perform the
basic functions of life.
• Essential Elements
– Recognize that biological organisms are composed
primarily of very few elements. The six most
common are C, H, N, O, P, and S.
Hierarchy of Life
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Organism
Organ System
Organ
Tissue
Cell
Organelles
Compounds
Elements/Atoms
6 Essential Elements for Life
ELEMENT
SYMBOL
Carbon
C
Hydrogen
H
Oxygen
O
Nitrogen
N
Sulfur
S
Phosphorus
P
4 most important: H O N C if you love Life!!!
Carbon
• Used in all of life’s compounds
• Most Important for life
• Creates connections (bonds) with many other
elements
– H N O S P and C
– Creates many different compounds (organic)
The Chemistry of Life
• Central Concept: Chemical elements form
organic molecules that interact to perform the
basic functions of life.
• Organic Compounds
– Describe the basic molecular structures and
primary functions of the four major categories of
organic molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins,
nucleic acids).
Organic Compounds
• Single parts: monomers
– Mono means one
• Many parts: polymers
– Poly means many
• 4 Organic Compounds
– Lipids
– Carbohydrates
– Proteins
– Nucleic Acids
Lipids
• Monomer
– Hydrocarbon chain
and glycerin
• Examples
– Fats, oils, waxes, steroids, cell membrane
• Jobs
– Store energy
– Keep water in or out (waterproofing)
Carbohydrates
• Made from C H and O
– Glucose C6H12O6
• Monomer
– Monosaccharide
• Polymer
– Polysaccharide
• Examples
– Sugar (ends in “ose” like glucose)
– Starch, cellulose
• Jobs
– Quick Energy
Proteins
• Monomer
– Amino Acid
• Polymer
– Polypeptide or Protein
• Examples
– Enzymes (help in chemical
reactions, ends in “ase”)
– Hemoglobin (carries oxygen
in blood)
– Insulin (tells cells they can take in sugar)
• Jobs
– Performs most of the body’s functions
– Fight disease, movement
Nucleic Acids
• Monomer
– Nucleotide
• Polymer
– Nucleic Acid
• Examples
– DNA, RNA, ATP
• Jobs
– Holds genetic information
– Helps make proteins
– Carries energy (ATP)
The Chemistry of Life
• Central Concept: Chemical elements form
organic molecules that interact to perform the
basic functions of life.
• Enzymes
– Explain the role of enzymes as catalysts that lower
the activation energy of biochemical reactions.
Identify factors, such as pH and temperature, that
have an effect on enzymes.
Enzymes
• Type of protein
• Ends in “ase”
• Catalyst
– Speed up chemical reactions
– Some reactions need energy to work and enzymes
help by lowering the amount of “activation”
energy
Enzymes
• Conditions that affect when enzymes work
– pH
• Enzymes in the stomach work at a lower pH than in the
muscles
– Temperature
• Enzymes in the body work best at 98.6°F
• If it gets too cold or too hot, enzymes can not work
– Chemical reactions can not work